Connecting with American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians

The mission of the National Park Service (NPS) is to preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of NPS for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. NPS cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

NPS has a unique relationship with American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. It is founded in law and strengthened by a shared commitment to the stewardship of land and resources. The formal legal relationship between NPS and American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians is augmented by the historical, cultural, and spiritual relationships that these groups have with park lands, sites, vistas, and resources; they are their ancestral homelands and important resources in maintaining cultural identity.

NPS pursues open, collaborative relationships with American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians to support cultural and traditional places and practices and enhance NPS’s understanding of the history and traditional management of places and resources that are now within national parks.

Additionally, through a variety of grants, technical assistance programs, and partnerships, NPS supports the efforts of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians to preserve their cultural heritage in communities nationwide.

The goal of this site is to provide information to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians about NPS Cultural Resources programs.